Breaststroke Turns: How to Master the Open Turn for Speed and Efficiency

What if I told you that your Breaststroke Turn could be costing you an entire body length every 100 yards?

Most swimmers obsess over their kick timing and pullouts. But they glide into the wall… slow down… pop their head up… and lose EVERYTHING they just built.

Here’s the deal: Breaststroke Turns swimming are not just transitions. They are SPEED MULTIPLIERS.

And if you master the Breaststroke Open Turn, you’ll carry momentum instead of killing it.

Let’s break it down step-by-step.

What Is the Turn for Breaststroke?

Breaststroke uses an Open Turn — not a Flipturn.

By rule, swimmers must:

• Touch the wall with both hands simultaneously
• Keep hands separated (no one-handed touch)
• Keep shoulders at or past vertical toward the breast
• Leave the wall after the touch with proper body position

After the touch, swimmers rotate, plant their feet, push off in streamline, and perform a legal pullout before surfacing.

If you’re wondering, “What is the Turn for Breaststroke?” — it’s a controlled, two-handed touch with an explosive transition into a tight streamline.

Sounds simple.

But execution is everything.

Step-by-Step: How to Do a Proper Breaststroke Open Turn

Breaststroke Turns Video (YouTube Instruction):

Let’s use our SLAF breakdown (and yes — we demonstrate this clearly in our Breaststroke Open Turn YouTube video below).

Step 1: Approach With Eyes Down

Do NOT lift your head early.

Eyes stay down. Slightly forward. Maintain bodyline.

The biggest mistake in Breaststroke Turns for beginners?
They lift their head to “find” the wall.

When that happens:

• Hips drop
• Momentum stalls
• Stroke shortens

You want to REACH for the wall on your final stroke — not glide into it.

Step 2: Two-Hand Simultaneous Touch

Both hands must touch the wall simultaneously at the end of the stroke.

Not close.
Not almost.
At the same time.

This is non-negotiable under Breaststroke rules.

Touch strong. Touch decisive.

Step 3: Drop One Arm + Tuck

Immediately after the touch:

1. Drop one arm toward your body.
2. Bring knees to chest.
3. Drive feet toward the wall.

Think BALL POSITION.

Compact. Tight. Fast.

This ball-like shape reduces transition time and keeps your center of mass close to the wall.

Sloppy turns are LONG turns.
Long turns are slow turns.

Step 4: Shark Fin the Recovery Arm

Your other arm comes out of the water in a tight recovery.

We call this the “Shark Fin.”

Not wide.
Not floppy.
Tight and aggressive into a streamline.

The streamline should be locked BEFORE your feet leave the wall.

Step 5: Strong Push + Clean Pullout

Push off in a tight streamline.

Then perform your legal Breaststroke Pullout:

• One arm pull down
• One Dolphin Kick (legal in modern rules) + Arm Pull Down
• Recovery to streamline
• Breaststroke Kick
• Breakout

Momentum should carry through the entire sequence.

Breaststroke Turns for Beginners

If you’re new to Breaststroke Turns swimming, focus on these three priorities:

1. Simultaneous touch
2. Fast knee tuck
3. Tight streamline

Forget fancy timing at first.

Build structure first. Speed second.

Video Breakdown: SLAF Breaststroke Open Turn Examples

We don’t just talk about technique — we SHOW it underwater.

Here are examples from our SLAF Video Library:

Common Breaststroke Turn Mistakes

Let’s be honest — most Breaststroke Turns don’t look terrible. They just look a little casual. And that’s exactly where swimmers start losing speed.

Here are the most common issues I see on deck:

1. Lifting the head too early

Swimmers try to “find” the wall with their eyes. When the head lifts, the hips drop and the stroke shortens. Instead of attacking the wall, they glide into it and lose momentum.

2. Non-simultaneous touch

One hand arrives slightly before the other. Even if the difference is small, breaststroke requires a simultaneous two-hand touch. If it’s noticeable, it’s a disqualification.

3. Slow knee tuck

Instead of snapping the knees quickly to the chest, swimmers take too long to compact their body. A slow tuck leads to a slow rotation.

4. Wide arm recovery

The recovery arm swings wide instead of moving quickly into streamline. This adds extra movement and delays the push-off.

5. Loose streamline off the wall

When swimmers push off without a tight streamline, they lose the speed they carried into the wall.

None of these mistakes look dramatic. But every one of them costs tenths. And in swimming, tenths are the difference between making a final and missing it.

What Are the Rules for Breaststroke Swimming Turns?

Let’s make this simple — because this is where swimmers get DQ’d.

Breaststroke Turns are strict. No guessing. No “almost.”

Here’s what you need to remember:

• You MUST touch the wall with two hands at the same time.
• After the touch, your hands can separate.
• You’re allowed to rotate after contact.
• You get ONE Butterfly (Dolphin) Kick during the pullout.
• Your head must break the surface before your hands turn inward on the second stroke.
  

It’s not complicated — but under race pressure, details matter.

Don’t just know the rules. Train them.

For the full breakdown of USA Swimming Breaststroke Rules, review them here

Debate: No Pullout vs Full Pullout?

Some coaches prefer a fast surface breakout without a full pullout.

I disagree — for most swimmers.

Underwater speed is FREE SPEED.

Unless you’re uniquely powerful on the surface, developing a strong pullout phase will create more long-term performance gains.

Train it.

Refine it.

Own it.

Actionable Takeaway for Your Next Practice

Next time you work Breaststroke Turns, keep it simple and intentional.

Go into the wall with your eyes down. Don’t search for it — trust your stroke.

Snap your knees in FAST. No hesitation.

Lock your streamline before your feet ever leave the wall.

Then film it. When you watch it back, you’ll see exactly where momentum slows — and once you see it, you can fix it.

Want Real Feedback on Your Breaststroke Turns?

If you want to SEE your Breaststroke Turns underwater — frame-by-frame — our Video Analysis Packages break down:

• Wall approach
• Hand timing
• Foot placement
• Pullout mechanics
• Breakout timing

If you want a complete stroke progression including turns and pullouts, explore our How to Swim a Faster Breaststroke in 90 Days program:

Coaches looking to systematically teach open turns inside a season plan can dive into:

Starts & Turns Courses

Breaststroke Turns don’t win races alone.

But efficient Breaststroke Turns?
They absolutely change outcomes.

Now go sharpen yours.

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